The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-07


only TO return in the way of increased
prices his tariff proht ON the wool he sold,
and which thenlsRfrhaps, lies before him
in maMufacturca form, but that he must
add considerable, sum thereto TO meet
further increase In cost caused by tariff
duty on the nispiniactme Thus in the
end
II. is AROUSED TO THE FACT
that he has paid upon moderate pur-
chase, as result OF the tariff scheme,
which, when he sold his wool, seemed so
profitable an increase in price more than
sufficient 10 sweep away all the tariff profit
he received upon, the wool he produced
and sold. When the number OF farmers
engaged in wool nSing is compared with
all the farmers in the country, and the
small proportion they bear to our popula-
ton is considered; when it is made APP
parent that, in the case OF large part OF
those who own sheep, the benefit OF the
present tariff on wool is illusory, and,
above all. when il must be conceded that
the increase OF the cost OF 1iving caused
by such tariff becomes burden upon
those with moderate means and the poor,
the employed and unemployed, the sick
and we'll, and the young and old,
and that il constitutes tax which,
with relentless grasp, is fastened upon the
clothing Of every man, woman and child
in the land, reasons are suggested why
the removal or reduction OF this duty
should be included in revision OF our
tariff laws.
In speaking OF the increased cost to the
consumer of our homcmanuiacture result
ing from a duy laid upon imported articles
OF the same description, the fact is not
overlooked that competition among our
domestic producers sometimes has the eff
feet of keeping the price OF their products
below the highest limit allowed by such
duty. But il is Notorious that this compe.
tition is too often sirlnglcd by combina
tons quite prevalent at this time, and fire.
qucntly called trusts, which have for their
object the regulation oi the supply and
price OF commodities made aud sold by
members Of the combination. The people
can hardly hope for any consideration in
the operation OF these selfish schemes.
ii, however, in the absence OF such com.
binaiion, a healthy and free competition
reduces the price OF any particular dutiable
aNiclc of home production below the
limit which il might otherwise reach under
our tariff laws, and IT, with such reduced
price, its manufacture continues Ia thrive,
II is entirely evident that one thing has
been discovered which should be carefully
scrutinilcd In an effort to reduce taxation.
TmE NECESSITY or CONVERSATION
TO maintain the price ol any commodity to
the tariff point, furnishes proof that some
one is willing TO accept lower prices Tor
such commodity, aud thal such prices are
rcmuncrtivc; and lower prices produced
10y competition prove the same thing. Thus
where either OF these conditions exist n
ease would seem to bc presented for an
easy reduction Of taxation.
The considerations which have been
presented touching our tariff laws are in
tended only Ia enforce an earnest recon-
mcndation that tl,e surplus revenues OF
the government he prevented by the re-
duc,ion ui our rirdom duties, and, at the
same time, 10 emphasize q suggestion that
in accomplishing this purpose, We may
discharge u double duty Ia our people, 10y
granting 60 them amcasurc OF relief from
tariff taxation IN quarters where II is most
needed. and from sources where II can he
most fairly and justly accorded. Nor can
the presentation, made Of such Considcm-
! tions be-, with any degree OF fairness ~
/ glrtlcd rs an evidence oi unlricndlincss
toward our manufacturing interests, or Of
/ any lack Of appreciation oi their value and
/ importance. fhc- interests constitute a
leading aud most substantial element Of
our national grcrlnes-, and furnish the
proud proof III oar rountrys progrtss-
1 but n, IN Iiiv onsc-gciuy thar prosscs upon
us, our manufacturers are asked 10 surr'il'
| der something for the public good, and Ia
] aIsta
q grateful recognition OF advantages al.
ready afforded, should lead them
| a. willing cooperation. No demand
is made that they shall iorcgo all the bcnc.
| fits Of governmental rrgard hut they can
not fail To bc ndmonishcd Of their duty, rs
well ~ their enlightened sell-iutcrcst and
safety, when they are reminded IT the fac I
| that financial panic and collapse, 10
which the present condition tends, afford
no greater shelter OrprptcCtion 10 our man
uinciurcs than Ia our other important en-
terprises. Opportunity for safe, careful
and deliberate reform IL now Offered; aud
none OF M should h. unmindful of time
when an abused aud irritatcd people,
needless oi those who have resisted timely
aud reasonable relief, NAV insist upon a
radical and swecTang rcclilicaiiOn Of their
wrongs
WISE AND ram REVISION
Of our tariff laws j. nul underestimate. II
will require ON the part oi Congress great
labor aud care, and especially abroad, aud
national contemplation Oi the subject, aud
| patriotic disregard Oi such local and self
| ish claims M anc unreasonable aud ncCk-
less oi the wclllau oi the entire country.
/ Under our present laws morc than i,OJO
/ articles an subject a. duty. Many Of these
/ do not compete with our own mnnulact.
urcrs, aud many ar hardly worth attcn.
| ton N subjects ii ryyCBuc. 4 cOnsidcm-
| BILE reduction can d. made IN the aggrc-
/ gate 10y adding thrm a. the free list. The
l taxation of luxurics presents no features Oi
I hnnlshipE but the ucccsarios Oi life,
| used aud consumed by all the people, the
| duty upon which ndds ~ the cOsi OF living
in every home, should bc greatly cheap
/ Cncd.
The radical reduction 81 the duties i'm.
| posed upon raw material used In manu-
lectures, or iis fire importation ", ui
course, an important factor IN any effort
Ia reduce the price II these ncccsSlrics; II
would not only relieve them from the In
creased cost caused ly the tariff on such
material, hut the manufactured product
being thus chcapencd that part Of the
tariff now laid upon such product, ~ q
compensation h. our manufactures Tor the
present price oi raw material, could bc
accordingly modified Such reduction, ~
free importation, would serve beside Ia
largely reduce the revenue. II y not ap'
parent how such change can have any
injurious effect upon our manufacturers
On the contrary, Il would appear Ia give
them q better Chance In foreign markets
with the manufacturers OF other countries
who cheaper their wares 10y fire material.
Thus Our people might have the oppor.
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